Coit replacing Rossi at WABI-TV as sports reporter and co-anchor

Coit, who will turn 23 years old two days before Christmas, has been chosen from among 50 applicants to replace Prescott Rossi as a sports reporter and co-sports anchor at WABI-TV Channel 5 in Bangor. He will start next week.

Rossi has left to take a similar position at WROC-TV Channel 8 in Rochester, N.Y.

Coit graduated from prestigious broadcasting school Emerson College in Massachusetts in May and has been working as a sports producer at WFXT-TV, Fox 25 in Dedham, Mass.

He was one of the radio play-by-play voices and color analysts for the Cotuit Kettleers in the Cape Cod League last summer.

“He’s a real sharp guy who comes highly recommended,” said WABI-TV news director Jim Morris. “He’s a good reporter, [cameraman] and editor. He can tell a story.

“In addition to having the requisite talents, he’ll also be a good fit,” added Morris.

Coit, a native of Plymouth, Mass., said he is “very excited” about the opportunity.

“This will be my first on-air gig and that’s something I’ve always wanted to do. It’s a dream of mine,” said Coit. “I had a real nice opportunity with Fox in Boston but this is truly the direction I want to go.”

He said he benefited from a “baptism by fire” experience in Boston.

“I was an intern there from January until April and then, in May, a sports anchor left and one of the sports producers was having their first baby so they needed someone on the spot to jump in, learn the system and help out,” Coit said. “We had the Celtics in the playoffs and the Bruins during their Stanley Cup run.”

“It was a great challenge but it was awesome for me,” added Coit. “I got to work with some incredible people. I was lucky to have that opportunity.

“This new job will bring me a ton more challenges and experiences,” said Coit, a former catcher at Plymouth North High School and at Emerson College.

“This job is a combination of my passions. I love sports but I’ve also always been a communicator,” said Coit. “I knew I wasn’t going to make it to the major leagues (as a baseball player).”